Band debuts new uniforms

Sep. 27, 2013

The Vineland High School Marching Clan band showed off their new uniforms at halftime at the football game against St. Augustine Prep on Friday at Gittone Stadium in Vineland. / Staff photo/Craig Matthews

The Vineland High School band looked sharp in their new uniforms unveiled during Vineland's football game against St. Augustine on Friday night. / Staff photo/Craig Matthews

The Vineland High School Marching Clan band plays in their new uniforms at halftime during Friday night's football game against St. Augustine Prep. / Staff photo/Craig Matthews

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VINELAND — More than a year in the making, the Vineland High School Marching Clan uniforms debuted Friday evening after a quick change.

It is the first marching band makeover in more than a decade.

After overseeing the project from design to delivery, band director Bill McDevitt chose to unveil the new outfits during the Fighting Clan’s first home game Friday evening with dramatic flair.

Just before halftime, the more than 75 members slipped out in what appeared to be normal preparations for the halftime show. But in the style of Lady Gaga, the Marching Clan made a quick backstage wardrobe change and took the Gittone field with a new image.

Gone were the solid scarlet jackets and dove gray pants, which were replaced with a sleek modern look.

“It’s more professional,” said band member Irvin Paderes, who was pleased the new outfits arrived in time for his senior year.

The new style features black jumpsuit pants and asymmetrical, tailored red, white and black jackets.

The jacket is customized red and gray V, the school crest on the chest, a wave of silver buttons and opposing color gauntlets. A nod to the band’s historic past, “Established in 1931” is embroidered on the shoulder, as suggested by VHS 11-12 Principal Tom McCann, McDevitt said.

Band member Jasmine Gonzalez said everything is better in the new uniforms.

“They fit better and tighter,” she said, also approving of the “sparkling V on the jacket.”

The look is a departure from VHS’s traditional red and gray, but will present better, McDevitt said.

The gray pants of the previous uniform tended to look green on the field, he said.

The pants also have a series of hidden snaps that allow a band member to customize the length without sewing.

Band mom Tammy Williams, mother of drummer Tim Williams, approved of the new look, calling it “sharp and impressive,” but admitted she’d like to see more of the gray school color in the uniform.

Sitting next to her, Michelle Peggin, mother of band member Dylan Peggin, said she liked the classic black look.

Both moms were so excited about the new uniform look, they said, they’d been texting each other all week.

Band member Tim Satterfield, a junior, said he was glad to be the first person to wear his uniform.

His old uniform had a rough patch on the outside of the leg, leaving him to often wonder how it got there.

In another fashion switch, McDevitt choose to forgo the traditional marching band cap for Aussie hats accessorized with white plumes, which will not be worn during inclement weather.

Back in September 2012, the Vineland Board of Education approved a contract for about $40,000 with Stanbury Uniforms Inc. of Brookfield, Mo., to fund the new uniforms. The old uniforms were turned into the school district, who will try to sell them to someone who may recycle them, McDevitt said.

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